Tributes have been paid to a much-loved former Daily Echo journalist described as a kind, funny man who was full of laughter.

Dermot Martin, who enjoyed several spells studying and working in Southampton, has died aged 69.

He worked for both national and regional newspapers, specialising in medicine and science.

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Dermot, who lived in Poole, was a devoted family man who leaves his wife, Sharon, and four children, Lydia, Dermot, Amelia and Liberty.

He left his home town of Burnley to study Chemistry at the University of Southampton, graduating in 1975 and landing a job on Fleet Street at a PR consultancy.

He then embarked on a lifelong career in journalism, beginning at the Burnley Express, where he met his future wife. 

After a spell at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, he  joined the Southern Daily Echo, working as chief reporter of the Hythe office for many years and inspiring countless young reporters. 

In 1989, Dermot left the Echo to freelance in London, working on the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and The Observer.

He also worked on Practical Boat Owner magazine in Poole, followed by an editorship at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Analysis Europa magazine.

Dermot returned to the Southern Daily Echo as a sub-editor in 1997 on the day his oldest child was born. He remained for many years, while continuing to write for scientific journals.

After leaving the Echo, he worked as a further education consultant, and tried his hand at blogging and even taxi driving. 

Dermot was a passionate Burnley FC fan and a keen sportsman who completed the first London Marathon, and played football and tennis. 

"He was everybody’s friend and the centre of all of our lives," said Sharon.

"Dermot was one of the most resourceful journalists I have worked with, who could turn his hand to any story and was also a kind, funny man who was full of laughter, said Ed Perkins, the Daily Echo's former assistant editor and chief sub.

‘He could light up a room by walking into it and nobody went home after being in his company without feeling cheerful."

Dermot's funeral will take place on Friday October 27 at 10.30am at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Poole.